Excellent Uniformity and Properties of Micro-Meter Thick Lead Zirconate Titanate Coatings with Rapid Thermal Annealing.

Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) films have shown great potential in piezoelectric micro-electronic-mechanical system (piezo-MEMS) owing to their strong piezoelectric response. However, the fabrication of PZT films on wafer-level suffers with achieving excellent uniformity and properties. Here, we successfully prepared perovskite PZT films with similar epitaxial multilayered structure and crystallographic orientation on 3-inch silicon wafers, by introducing a rapid thermal annealing (RTA) process. Compared to films without RTA treatment, these films exhibit (001) crystallographic orientation at certain composition that expecting morphotropic phase boundary. Furthermore, dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties on different positions only fluctuate within 5%. The relatively dielectric constant, loss, remnant polarization and transverse piezoelectric coefficient are 850, 0.1, 38 µC/cm2 and -10 C/m2, respectively. Both uniformity and properties have reached the requirement for the design and fabrication of piezo-MEMS devices. This broadens the design and fabrication criteria for piezo-MEMS, particularly for piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers.

Effects of watercress extract fraction on R-spondin 1-mediated growth of human hair.

OBJECTIVE: Hair loss and greying affect men and women of all ages, often causing psychosocial difficulties. Dickkopf-1 (DKK1), a major hair loss factor secreted from dermal papilla (DP) cells in response to the secretion of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), has been reported to induce and accelerate androgenetic alopecia (AGA). In addition, DKK1 acts as a potent suppressor of melanogenesis and is closely related to hair colour. R-spondin 1 (RSPO1) is a secretory agonist of Wnt signalling known to antagonize the effects of DKK1, including DKK1-mediated hair follicle suppression. In this study, we investigated the effect of watercress extract (WCE) on the secretion of RSPO1 and DKK1 from DP cells as well as its anti-hair loss effect in human hair follicles and patients. METHODS: The in vitro secretion of RSPO1 and DKK1 was measured by ELISA. Human hair follicles were collected from the scalp of a female donor and used for ex vivo organ culture to investigate the effects of WCE on human hair loss. Finally, a 6-month human clinical trial was conducted to examine the effect of WCE-containing lotion on hair growth in a male panel. RESULTS: WCE significantly upregulated RSPO1 secretion and suppressed DKK1 secretion in a dose-dependent manner, even in the presence of DHT. WCE-treated hair follicles elongated 1.6-fold compared with the control, and the level of RSPO1 production in DP as well as RSPO1 bound to the outer root sheath (ORS) increased. In the clinical trial, the hair lotion containing 2% WCE increased hair thickness and density to improve against hair loss symptoms. CONCLUSION: WCE exhibited a strong anti-androgenic effect through its ability to suppress DKK1 secretion and antagonize DKK1 via RSPO1. These findings highlighted the potential use of WCE for the treatment of hair loss.

OBJECTIF: La perte de cheveux et le grisonnement touchent des hommes et des femmes de tous âges, ce qui entraîne souvent des difficultés psychosociales. Selon des rapports, Dickkopf-1 (DKK1), un facteur de perte de cheveux majeur sécrété par les cellules de la papille dermique (PD) en réponse à la sécrétion de dihydrotestostérone (DHT), induit et accélère l'alopécie androgénétique (AAG). En outre, DKK1 agit comme un puissant suppresseur de la mélanogenèse et est étroitement lié à la couleur des cheveux. La protéine R-spondin 1 (RSPO1) est un agoniste sécrétoire de la voie de signalisation Wnt connue pour antagoniser les effets de DKK1, notamment la suppression des follicules pileux médiée par DKK1. Dans cette étude, nous avons étudié l'effet de l'extrait de cresson sur la sécrétion de RSPO1 et de DKK1 à partir des cellules de la PD, ainsi que son effet anti-perte de cheveux sur les follicules pileux humains et chez les patients. MÉTHODES: La sécrétion in vitro de RSPO1 et de DKK1 a été mesurée à l'aide de la méthode ELISA. Des follicules pileux humains ont été prélevés sur le cuir chevelu d'une femme et utilisés pour une culture d'organes ex vivo afin d'étudier les effets de l'extrait de cresson sur la perte de cheveux humains. Enfin, un essai clinique de 6 mois chez l'être humain a été mené pour examiner l'effet d'une lotion contenant de l'extrait de cresson sur la croissance des cheveux au sein d'un panel d'hommes. RÉSULTATS: L'extrait de cresson a significativement régulé à la hausse la sécrétion de RSPO1 et a supprimé la sécrétion de DKK1 de manière dose-dépendante, même en présence de DHT. Les follicules pileux traités avec de l'extrait de cresson ont été multipliés par 1,6 par rapport au groupe témoin, et le niveau de production de RSPO1 dans la PD ainsi que le taux de RSPO1 lié à la gaine externe de la racine ont augmenté. Dans l'essai clinique, la lotion pour cheveux contenant 2 % d'extrait de cresson a augmenté l'épaisseur et la densité des cheveux, améliorant ainsi les symptômes de perte de cheveux. CONCLUSION: La capacité de l'extrait de cresson à supprimer la sécrétion de DKK1 et à antagoniser DKK1 via la protéine RSPO1 lui a conféré un effet anti-androgénique puissant. Ces résultats ont mis en évidence le potentiel de l'extrait de cresson pour le traitement de la perte de cheveux.

Cynaropicrin from Cynara scolymus L. suppresses Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS-induced production of inflammatory cytokines in human gingival fibroblasts and RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation in RAW264.7 cells.

Periodontal diseases are a major public health problem affecting over half of the adult population worldwide. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) produced by the periodontopathic bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis induces the expression of inflammatory cytokines that promote inflammatory bone destruction. Mounting evidence supports that periodontal diseases are involved in the onset and progression of several systemic diseases, such as aspiration pneumonia and diabetes. Although treatment of periodontal diseases by removing the periodontopathic bacteria by brushing is a standard practice, it has limitations and is not effective in all cases. Therefore, a new method to replace or complement brushing is needed for the treatment of periodontal diseases. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of an extract from Cynara scolymus L. and its pharmacologically effective compound cynaropicrin, a sesquiterpene lactone, on human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) stimulated by LPS and the potential anti-osteoclastogenic effects on RAW264.7 cells induced by receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL). We found that cynaropicrin inhibited IL-8 and IL-6 mRNA and protein synthesis in LPS-stimulated HGFs in a dose-dependent manner. P. gingivalis LPS-induced degradation of IκBα and phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 were also suppressed by cynaropicrin, as was LPS-stimulated NF-κB transactivation. Thus, cynaropicrin's inhibition of P. gingivalis LPS-induced IL-8 and IL-6 expression may be due to the inhibition of the NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, we showed that cynaropicrin dramatically reduced RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation. These results suggest that cynaropicrin may be useful for preventing periodontal diseases and could prove valuable in the development of more effective preventative approaches for periodontal diseases.

Site-saturation mutagenesis for ß-glucosidase 1 from Aspergillus aculeatus to accelerate the saccharification of alkaline-pretreated bagasse.

Aspergillus aculeatus ß-glucosidase 1 (AaBGL1) is one of the best cellobiose hydrolytic enzymes without transglycosylation products, among ß-glucosidase from various origins, for use in cellulosic biomass conversion with Trichoderma cellulases. However, in our previous report, it was demonstrated that AaBGL1 has lower catalytic efficiency toward cellobiose, which is a major end product from cellulosic biomasses by Trichoderma reesei cellulases, than do gentiobiose and laminaribiose. Thus, we expected that there is room to enhance cellobiose hydrolytic activity of AaBGL1 by increasing catalytic efficiency (k cat/K m) up to that of gentiobiose or laminaribiose for accelerating the saccharification of cellulosic biomasses, and we performed site-saturation mutagenesis targeting nine amino acids supposed to constitute subsite +1 of AaBGL1. We successfully isolated a mutant AaBGL1 (Q201E) having 2.7 times higher k cat/K m toward cellobiose than the WT enzyme. Q201E showed higher activity toward cellotriose and cellotetraose but lower activity toward gentiobiose and laminaribiose than WT. Kinetic analysis of various Q201 mutants toward cellobiose, gentiobiose, and laminaribiose revealed that only the Q201E mutation resulted in improved k cat/K m toward cellobiose. We demonstrated that side chain length and the nondissociated form of the carboxyl group at E201 in Q201E were required for enhancing the activity toward cellooligosaccharides through supporting nucleophile attack by D280 via changing catalytic environment by pH profile of kinetic parameters and mutation analyses. Moreover, we also demonstrated that Q201E produced more effective synergy with cellulases and xylanases than WT in the saccharification of alkaline-pretreated bagasse.

Melanin production through novel processing of proopiomelanocortin in the extracellular compartment of the auricular skin of C57BL/6 mice after UV-irradiation.

The production of melanin is regulated by α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), which is produced from proopiomelanocortin (POMC). Keratinocytes release POMC along with lower levels of α-MSH and ACTH. To clarify the mechanism of melanogenesis after ultraviolet (UV)-irradiation, this study focused on the expression of POMC and POMC-derived peptides after UV-irradiation. Western blot analysis and immunoassays indicated that both POMC and α-MSH-like immunoreactivity (α-MSH-LI) increased after UV-irradiation. However, other POMC-derived products were very low. In hypophysectomized mice, α-MSH-LI increased to the same level as in control mice after UV-irradiation. Structural analysis revealed that the major α-MSH-LI product was ACTH(1-8). Furthermore, ACTH(1-8) competed with [(125)I]-α-MSH for receptor binding and increased melanin production via a melanocortin-1 receptor. These results suggested that melanin was produced through ACTH(1-8) after UV-irradiation. Trypsin-like enzymatic activity, which is responsible for POMC activation, increased after UV-irradiation and was identified as tryptase. In mast cell-deficient mice, which do not produce tryptase, α-MSH-LI levels were unchanged after UV-irradiation. The present study demonstrates the production of ACTH(1-8) from POMC by tryptase, which is a novel peptide-processing mechanism in the extracellular compartment of the skin.

Cynaropicrin from Cynara scolymus L. suppresses photoaging of skin by inhibiting the transcription activity of nuclear factor-kappa B.

Aging of skin is characterized by skin wrinkling, laxity, and pigmentation induced by several environmental stress factors. Histological changes during the photoaging of skin include hyperproliferation of keratinocytes and melanocytes causing skin wrinkles and pigmentation. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is one of the representative transcription factors active in conjunction with inflammation. NF-κB is activated by stimulation such as ultraviolet rays and inflammatory cytokines and induces the expression of various genes such as those of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and matrix metalloprotease-1 (MMP-1). We screened several plant extracts for their possible inhibitory effect on the transcriptional activity of NF-κB. One of them, an extract from Cynara scolymus L., showed a greatest effect on the suppression of NF-κB transactivation. As a result, we found that cynaropicrin, which is a sesquiterpene lactone, inhibited the NF-κB-mediated transactivation of bFGF and MMP-1. Furthermore, it was confirmed that in an in vivo mouse model cynaropicrin prevented skin photoaging processes leading to the hyperproliferation of keratinocytes and melanocytes. These findings taken together indicate that cynaropicrin is an effective antiphotoaging agent that acts by inhibiting NF-κB-mediated transactivation.

Protecting skin photoaging by NF-kappaB inhibitor.

The skin photoaging is an inevitable process that occurs in daily life. It ischaracterized by acceralated keratinocyte proliferation and degradation of collagen fibers, causing skin wrinkling and laxity, and melanocyte proliferation that leads to pigmentation. Ultraviolet (UV) is considered to be a major cause of such skin changes. It is well established that nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) is activated upon UV irradiation and induces various genes including interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), and matrix metalloprotease-1 (MMP-1). It is also known that production of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is induced in skin tissues by UV irradiation and it promotes the proliferation of skin keratinocytes and melanocytes. We found that either UVB, IL-1 or TNFalpha could induce NF-kappaB by activating its signal transduction pathway. The activated NF-kappaB produces MMP-1 and bFGF in skin fibroblasts and human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT. In this experiment, we examined whether parthenolide and magnolol, NF-kappaB inhibitors, could block such UVB-mediated skin changes. We found that either parthenolide or magnolol could effectively inhibit the gene expression mediated by NF-kappaB and the production of bFGF and MMP-1 from cells overexpressing p65, a major subunit of NF-kappaB. We also found that these NF-kappaB inhibitors could inhibit the UVB-induced proliferation of keratinocytes and melanocytes in the mouse skin. These findings suggest that NF-kappaB inhibitors are useful in preventing the skin photoaging.

[Intrathecal morphine treatment in advanced cancer pain patients].

For more than 20 years morphine for spinal analgesia in patients with refractory cancer pain has been one of the cornerstones for the management of chronic, medically intractable pain. In general, most types of cancer pain are treatable following the guideline of Cancer Pain Relief well established by the WHO. However, some patient are unable to tolerate pain only following the guideline and often suffer with side-effects from high doses of opioid and from prescribed multiple adjuvant drugs. Due to the proximity to the receptor sites, the therapeutic efficacy of intrathecal opioid application lasts longer and also reduces systemic side effects. Intrathecal drug application is cost effective and can significantly improve the quality of life in selected patients with limited life expectancy. However, an intensive training of physicians, careful patient selection, awareness of specific complications, and arrangement of social back-up medical system are essential to commence intrathecal morphine application using implantable access port. This article introduces the basic idea of intrathecal morphine therapy with implantable access port (not pumps) as cost effective, alternative therapy for cancer patient suffering from intractable pain.

Mast cell tryptase and photoaging: possible involvement in the degradation of extra cellular matrix and basement membrane proteins.

Mast cells are widely distributed in the connective tissue of the body, but are particularly prominent in tissues such as skin. An increased number of mast cells can be found in the dermis under inflammatory conditions and ultraviolet (UV) exposed skin. Previous investigations have identified matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) as key enzymes in the degradation of extra cellular matrix (ECM). This study reports about the potential contribution of human mast cell tryptase as a new triggering enzyme in matrix degradation process. Recent studies suggest that mast cell-derived proteases can activate MMPs. We investigated both the degradation of cellular matrix components and activation of MMPs by human tryptase. Mast cells are increased in photoaged skin and the increase of mast cell tryptase in UV irradiated skin was confirmed. Human mast cell tryptase was purified from human tonsils by a series of standard chromatographic procedures. Degradation of collagen type I was achieved by incubation of human type I collagen with tryptase and the fragments were quantified by SDS-PAGE and staining with Coomassie Brilliant Blue 250-R (CBB). Treatment with tryptase resulted in the activation of proMMP-9 as revealed by gelatinolytic activity in type IV collagen zymography. When tryptase was incubated with human type IV collagen, gradual degradation of intact collagen was detected by Western blotting. Furthermore, type IV collagen degradation was observed in the basement membrane (BM) of a three-dimensional (3D) skin model. Degranulation of mast cells, which release tryptase, can activate MMPs and causes direct damage to ECM proteins. These findings strongly implicate that tryptase either alone or in conjunction with activation of MMPs, can participate in ECM damage and the possible destruction of BM leading to photoaging.

Magnolia ovovata extract and its active component magnolol prevent skin photoaging via inhibition of nuclear factor kappaB.

Transcriptional activity of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) is induced by environmental signals including inflammation, UV irradiation and oxidative stress. It was shown that the NF-kappaB activity greatly contributes to the skin photoaging process. Thus, it is plausible that NF-kappaB inhibitors could directly prevent skin photoaging. In this study, we found that Magnolia ovovata extract inhibited NF-kappaB-mediated gene expression and demonstrated that external swabbing with Magnolia extract preventing skin photoaging processes through keratinocyte hyperproliferation and degradation of collagen fibers in mice skin. We have identified magnolol as the solely responsible active compound in Magnolia extract. Magnolol effectively inhibited the NF-kappaB-dependent transcription, but no effect was observed with other inducible transcription factors such as activator protein-1 (AP-1) and cyclic-AMP responsive element-binding protein (CREB). In addition, magnolol was effective in inhibiting the production of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and matrix metalloprotease-1 (MMP-1) from the cells overexpressing p65, a major subunit of NF-kappaB. Although magnolol did not affect the phosphorylation and degradation of IkappaBalpha, it inhibited the nuclear translocation of the activated NF-kappaB. These findings suggest that Magnolia extract and its active component magnolol can be used to prevent the skin photoaging via inhibiting NF-kappaB by external topical application.

GABA-synthesizing enzyme, GAD67, from dermal fibroblasts: evidence for a new skin function.

Glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) catalyzes the synthesis of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter, from glutamate. An expression of GAD protein has been reported for brain and pancreas, but not for skin. In this study, we present evidence that GAD67 mRNA and protein are expressed in mouse skin and in human dermal fibroblasts. The expression of GAD67 gene is weaker in aged mouse than the young one. To further explore the function of GAD in skin, we have examined a potential role(s) of GABA in human dermal fibroblasts. We have observed that GABA stimulates the synthesis of hyaluronic acid (HA) and enhances the survival rate of the dermal fibroblasts when fibroblasts are exposed to H(2)O(2) an oxidative stress agent. Also observed were lowering the levels of HA and collagen in the embryonic skin from GAD67 deficient mouse as compared to those from the wild-type (WT) mouse. In this study, we have presented the evidences that GAD67 is localized in the dermis and is potentially involved in variety of skin activities.

Copper catalyzed oxidation of organozinc halides.

A wide range of organozinc substrates may be oxidized in the presence of catalytic copper to give carbon-carbon bonds in high yield.

Prevention of the ultraviolet B-mediated skin photoaging by a nuclear factor kappaB inhibitor, parthenolide.

The skin photoaging is characterized by keratinocyte hyperproliferation and degradation of collagen fibers, causing skin wrinkling and laxity and melanocyte proliferation that leads to pigmentation. UV is considered to be a major cause of such skin changes. It is well established that nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) is activated upon UV irradiation and induces various genes including interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), and matrix metalloprotease-1 (MMP-1). It is also known that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) production is induced by UV and promotes the proliferation of skin keratinocytes and melanocytes. We found that UVB, IL-1, and TNFalpha induced NF-kappaB activation and then produced MMP-1 and bFGF in HaCaT keratinocytes and skin fibroblasts. In this experiment, we examined if parthenolide, an NF-kappaB inhibitor, could block the UVB-mediated skin changes. We found that parthenolide could effectively inhibit the gene expression mediated by NF-kappaB and the production of bFGF and MMP-1 from cells overexpressing p65, a major subunit of NF-kappaB. We also found that parthenolide could inhibit the UVB-induced proliferation of keratinocytes and melanocytes in the mouse skin. These findings suggest that NF-kappaB inhibitors should be useful for the prevention of skin photoaging.